The Claim
In adults with self-reported high stress, a supplement containing 400 mg Scutellaria baicalensis, 40 mg Crataegus laevigata, 56.3 mg magnesium, and 20 µg chromium does not consistently improve cognitive performance during serial 3’s subtraction tasks under non-stress conditions.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
A specific supplement containing Scutellaria baicalensis, Crataegus laevigata, magnesium, and chromium does not reliably improve accuracy on cognitive tasks involving serial subtraction when people are not under acute stress.
See the scientific wording
In adults with self-reported high stress, a supplement containing 400 mg Scutellaria baicalensis, 40 mg Crataegus laevigata, 56.3 mg magnesium, and 20 µg chromium does not consistently improve cognitive performance outside of acute psychosocial stress conditions, as evidenced by reduced accuracy in serial 3’s subtraction during a cognitive demand battery without stress.
When a person is under stress, brain regions that control attention and memory become overactive, making it harder to think clearly. The supplement reduces this overactivity by calming down nerve cells in the brain, which allows the person to focus better during stressful tasks. Without stress, the brain doesn't need this calming effect, so the supplement has no consistent benefit.
What the research says
1 studyThis supplement only helps you think better when you're feeling really stressed—when you're just mentally tired from everyday tasks, it doesn't make you smarter or faster, and sometimes doesn't help at all.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.